Murder investigation sparks backlash against women
By Corinne Glenn
PERTH — The disappearance of one woman, and the murder of two others from Claremont, a wealthy suburb, over the past 15 months has sparked a regressive "safety" campaign.
Television commercials telling women to "use their head" and never walk down dark streets or go out alone are broadcast constantly. The newspapers are filled with letters about "naive" women, in skimpy clothing "just asking to be abducted".
Women who walk alone in the city and nightclub districts have been stopped by the police and warned that they "shouldn't be walking alone with a serial killer on the rampage".
Campuses and nightspots are covered with "Think Safe" posters encouraging women to stay in a group at all times. The media are riddled with interviews of the FBI "serial killer expert" who has been flown in, who warns that the killer will strike again soon.
The media and the police have used these disturbing crimes to blame women for these attacks rather than the perpetrator and the society that created such a person. Next, will women be blamed for the huge number of women killed in domestic violence?
The disappearance of these three women has been used by authorities and the media as a way of pushing women back into the home. The faces of the three victims are used to haunt women, constantly reminding them of the danger awaiting them whenever they step out the door.
This campaign of fear mongering has to be countered by a strong feminist voice that attacks the system of oppression rather than its victims. Women don't need to be told to "use their heads", but to struggle for a society where women can safely go wherever they like, alone or otherwise.